Huge painting update!

Well, I didn't make it to Historicon after all :(

My car overheated on 495 in Bethesda MD. I didn't think it was anything too major, but it wasn't cooling off and I realized the fan wasn't running. So I spent the night in DC and was not happy to find out that the radiator fan burnt up. Of course the mechanics knew I was in a bind and took me for all they could- $600. Lesson learned- cheaper to rent.



Anyhow, I have a HUGE painting update after the break.




Thought I'd try something new, and crop the pictures a little better so they aren't so mind numbingly huge. Trying to get the hang of Lydia's camera. The desert pictures were very difficult to get balanced since the background matched the figures.



Gepanzertepanzergrenadiers halftracks





Barkmann's Workshop



8th Army HMGs and Carriers:






Bergepanther



Pair of King Tigers





US Objective: Latrine Line



SSGT Pool





Sd kfz 10/5 armored AA




Captured T-34/85




Panzer II Luchs






A scene from a bocage fight between me and Tom:

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Historicon 2009

Sadly the epic El Alamein game never happened. But now it's time to gear up for Historicon!

On Friday night I am in the 3 round late war singles tournament. I am running German Pioneers.

HQ with panzerfausts, add 2 HMGs, add 2 81mm Mortars
3 Full combat platoons with panzerfaust upgrades
3 Panzerwerfers with extra crew
4 Panzer IV H
4 Brummbars

It's a pretty solid list, although I push them hard and thus usually lose at least one platoon.

On Saturday my dad and I are in the 3 round mid war doubles tourney. We're running British Light Armour and British Motor Infantry. Tally Ho!

I'll take some pics on my phone and write up short and sweet batreps.

In other news, Lydia got a gun yesterday at the gun show. We now have a 2:1 gun:people ratio, which I believe officially makes us redneck gun nuts.



Before anyone points out "bad trigger discipline!!!!11ONE" that was on purpose- there was a very ugly white zip-tie band around the trigger that she wanted to hide. It took away from the cuteness :)

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Calm before the Storm

On the calm, clear evening of October 22nd, 1942 under the bright sky of a full moon, Operation Lightfoot began with 882 field and medium sized guns releasing a barrage of fire that did not stop until five and a half hours later, when each gun had fired about 600 rounds. During that period of time, 125 tons of bombs fell on the enemy gun positions. Legend has it that the noise was so great that the ears of the gunners bled.

Great Youtube video of El Alamein and some background on the desert war

Just before Dawn, the British launch their attack on the stubborn defenders.

Battle report to follow. I just set the table up tonight and wanted to take a few pics.


British forces advance past a recently downed FW190


The forward British objective.



American made Grants advance past the decorated Royal Horse Artillery battery.


The German lines


Sorry for cell phone pics.

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